Daily Recipes: We Tested the 4 Bissell Little Green Machines Side by Side

Shopping Editorial Director

If you're a fan of satisfying cleaning videos on social media, then you probably know all about the Bissell Little Green Machine, a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner that is the star of many before-and-after cleaning videos. Did you know, though, that Bissell actually has four Little Green Machines? We put all four models to work in our testing lab to figure out which is worth buying. Each machine was tasked with removing maple syrup, red wine, and salad dressing stains from an upholstered chair and a rug. Ultimately with the help of a little bit of stain remover, all the machines were able to remove the stains, so the right mostly comes down to price and features.

The one that started it all is the original Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner (second from left), which is also the most affordable model (and the cutest). While this machine gets a lot of attention, we found other Little Green models to be more powerful, especially on tougher stains. It's a good option for everyday maintenance though, especially if you don't want extra attachments or features. Because of its straightforward construction, we think it's the easiest to use, too.

The Little Green ProHeat (far right) has a bit more stain-fighting power yet still comes at a fairly low price. It stands out for its attachments, particularly the 3-in-1 Stair Tool, which ensures you can clean even the tightest corners of carpeted stairs. We were also seriously impressed by how quick-drying this machine is—the area we cleaned was almost completely dry immediately after use. This model is a bit more compact than the Original, so we think it's a good option for those with limited storage.

Speaking of space, if you live in smaller homes, you'll definitely appreciate the Little Green Cordless (second from right). This model is the smallest of the four machines and the most portable—it's battery-powered, so you can use it anywhere. It works best for small jobs though, as it died on us in the middle of our test (granted, we were removing 6 stains at once, so it was a long test!). In terms of stain-fighting power, it performed about the same as the Original.

Ultimately, if you want a heavy-duty machine, we highly recommend the Little Green HydroSteam (far left). It's the most expensive Little Green, but it's worth it for its fast-acting stain removal abilities and "steam" feature. Take note that it doesn't actually produce steam; it just releases hot water instead of cold water to work the stain out more effectively. Our favorite feature? This model has an extra-wide nozzle that covers more surface area, so you can clear stains in fewer passes.

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